Prabhupada’s Qualities

The main impression people got when they met Prabhupada, especially in a private darsana, was his strength of purpose in his dedication to serve Krishna.  His demeanor, however, always impressed others as being gentle and sweet.  He didn’t use coarse expressions, and his physical movements were graceful and reserved.  He was a gentleman. 

But despite that demeanor, Prabhupada wanted to create a revolution.  When he went to Pennsylvania upon first arriving in America, they thought he had only come to sell some books and would go back to India in a few months.  Prabhupada would surrender to Krishna’s will.  If that was all Krishna allowed him to do, he would accept that, but he was certainly ambitious to do much more.  He wanted to create a revolution in the consciousness of the entire world.  He was prepared to work at it, even though he was in advanced old age.  Books were the basis, but books by themselves couldn’t do it.  There had to be people to practice the teachings of the books, people to distribute the books to others.  And there had to be money to accomplish these things.  Prabhupada pushed hard to get all these things done. 

Prabhupada was especially uncompromising in his condemnation of materialistic activities.  He used strong language to describe people who are devoid of the inclination for spiritual life, calling them dogs, hogs, camels and asses.  He also referred to them as rascals.  He called the leaders of the countries cheaters.  He said they were all going to hell for their impious activities.  By any standard, this was harsh criticism. 

He also protested against the government.  He did it in a non-sectarian way, favoring neither the Communists nor the Capitalists.  According to the scriptures, he said, “Any political leader in this age is bound to be the lowest kind of man.”  In a sense, he protested against the material bonds that held families together.

The devotee is described in sastra as one who doesn’t have enemies and who doesn’t cause agitation for others.  Prabhupada was not a troublemaker.  He simply wanted to give people the key to their own happiness, but because of their inimical attitude towards renunciation and devotion to God, there was trouble.  Despite everything, Prabhupada continued distributing books and propagating the Holy Name.

In personal meetings, Prabhupada actually got very little reaction to his strong words.  It was hard to be upset with Prabhupada.  He was so pure that anyone who met him immediately felt disarmed by him.  No one insulted him back, even if they thought they had been insulted by Prabhupada.  He always explained the philosophical basis of his words and actions and everyone was satisfied, if not convinced.